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Tokyo Hilton Heats Up As Pride Fighters Convene

Friday brought an end to several days of rainfall in Tokyo, replaced with uncertain sunshine and a muggy, sticky pallor. Inside, the temperature was rising as well as most of the Pride 14 fighters converged upon the Hilton Tokyo for the pre-fight rules meeting. The only absentees were Golden Glory combatants Heath Herring, Gilbert Yvel and Valentijn Overeem, who are expected to arrive tonight.

The controversial rules introduced in Pride 13 that allowed knees and kicks to the head and face while on the ground will remain intact. However, if there is a 10-kilo weight difference, the lighter fighter can choose to nullify this rule–a change that could impact the match-up between Herring and Vitor Belfort.

Rules Highlights

A second referee will now be positioned outside the ring, and can advise the ring referee to stop the fight if either fighter appears unable to continue or engage his opponent

It was stressed that elbows above the neck are not allowed when on the ground-forearms are considered to be part of the elbow

Fighters are now allowed to wear approved shoes into the ring

Fighters will be fined 10% of their purse for any caution (yellow card)

Chuck Liddell began training for Pride 14 one week after his knockout victory over Kevin Randleman in UFC 31. He professes to feel very strong and plans to use the UFC theme song as his entrance music.

Igor Vovchanchyn looks to be in far better shape for his bout with Gilbert Yvel. Noticeably more fit, word has it that the Russian weighs somewhere between 220 and 225.

Similarly, Gary Goodridge has dropped some excess weight after training with Tom "Big Cat" Erikson at Purdue University. Goodridge is in good spirits after his submission victory over Bob Schreiber in Holland’s 2 Hot 2 Handle.

The fighters completed interviews with Pride 14 commentator Stephen Quadros for the pay-per-view broadcast, along with photo shoots for the production.

Mark Coleman made arrangements to train with Dan Henderson and Randy Couture this afternoon, just as he did prior to Pride 13 and UFC 31.

Keep checking back for more daily updates and fighter interviews from Tokyo!

Friday brought an end to several days of rainfall in Tokyo, replaced with uncertain sunshine and a muggy, sticky pallor. Inside, the temperature was rising as well as most of the Pride 14 fighters converged upon the Hilton Tokyo for the pre-fight rules meeting. The only absentees were Golden Glory combatants Heath Herring, Gilbert Yvel and Valentijn Overeem, who are expected to arrive tonight.

The controversial rules introduced in Pride 13 that allowed knees and kicks to the head and face while on the ground will remain intact. However, if there is a 10-kilo weight difference, the lighter fighter can choose to nullify this rule–a change that could impact the match-up between Herring and Vitor Belfort.

Rules Highlights

A second referee will now be positioned outside the ring, and can advise the ring referee to stop the fight if either fighter appears unable to continue or engage his opponent

It was stressed that elbows above the neck are not allowed when on the ground-forearms are considered to be part of the elbow

Fighters are now allowed to wear approved shoes into the ring

Fighters will be fined 10% of their purse for any caution (yellow card)

Chuck Liddell began training for Pride 14 one week after his knockout victory over Kevin Randleman in UFC 31. He professes to feel very strong and plans to use the UFC theme song as his entrance music.

Igor Vovchanchyn looks to be in far better shape for his bout with Gilbert Yvel. Noticeably more fit, word has it that the Russian weighs somewhere between 220 and 225.

Similarly, Gary Goodridge has dropped some excess weight after training with Tom "Big Cat" Erikson at Purdue University. Goodridge is in good spirits after his submission victory over Bob Schreiber in Holland’s 2 Hot 2 Handle.

The fighters completed interviews with Pride 14 commentator Stephen Quadros for the pay-per-view broadcast, along with photo shoots for the production.

Mark Coleman made arrangements to train with Dan Henderson and Randy Couture this afternoon, just as he did prior to Pride 13 and UFC 31.

Keep checking back for more daily updates and fighter interviews from Tokyo!

posted by Full Contact Fighter @ 8:00 pm

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